Tesla is set to launch its Cybercab today in Austin, Texas. The vehicle is described as a small, gold, two-seater sedan that operates without a steering wheel or pedals, relying on cameras and AI for navigation.
While the exact scale of the launch event is not specified, Tesla has reportedly positioned numerous Cybercabs in Austin and other US cities. According to the state's automated vehicle tracker, 420 autonomous vehicles are registered in Texas.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has suggested a substantial deployment, replying "Yes" to a user who wrote that Tesla is "about to flood Austin." Ashok Elluswamy, head of Tesla AI, stated on X that "streets won't be the same anymore."
The Cybercab emerged from Tesla's efforts to develop a cheaper, next-generation EV platform. Musk reportedly decided against building a manually drivable car on this platform, focusing instead on the two-seater robotaxi.
Tesla has previously tested a robotaxi program in Austin using modified Model Y SUVs, which involved an employee in the front seat for the initial months. The company has reported a few dozen minor incidents, mostly crashes with stationary objects, during this pilot.